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Boston Celtics vs. Orlando Magic NBA Preview & Free Pick

NBA Basketball Matchup: Boston Celtics vs. Orlando Magic

If there was ever a good spot for some revenge this is it. Orlando was beaten 87-56 earlier this week by the Celtics.

8:00 PM EST
NBA Gambling Odds from BetDSI
NBA Betting Favorite: Magic -9.5
Over/Under: 174

The 56 points that the Magic were able to muster were a franchise low. Rajon Rondo and Ray Allen are expected to miss this game for the Celtics.

The oddsmakers are counting on the Magic to come back highly motivated here. Let’s take a quick look at this Eastern Conference showdown.

Without Rondo and Allen in the starting lineup, it will be up to Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce to carry a lot of the load tonight. Brandon Bass has also been doing a nice job for the Celtics of late. Bass has scored in double figures in six of the team’s last eight games. Pierce leads the team at 16.5 points per game, but he is shooting just 41.5% from the floor this season.

Mickael Pietrus was a nice pickup by Danny Ainge earlier this year. Pietrus gives the Celtics a very good on-ball defender and a guy who can light it up on occasion. Boston is second in the NBA in points per game allowed. Opponents are scoring just 88.2 points per game against the Celtics. [soliloquy id=”82219″]

Dwight Howard is still with the Magic for now, and he is giving the team some great minutes again this year. Howard is averaging 19.7 points and 15.6 boards per game this year.

Ryan Anderson is having a major breakout season for the Magic. Anderson is averaging almost 17 points and seven boards per contest. The offense still runs through Hedo Turkoglu most of the time.

Turkoglu is shooting 47.4% from beyond the arc this year. Jameer Nelson is struggling with his shot this year, but he continues to distribute the ball well. Orlando allows 90.8 points per game on the defensive end.

I’m buying into the revenge spot here, but I think the under is an even better pick.

Prediction: Orlando 84 Boston 71

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By Kyle Hunter

Kyle Hunter sports picks – A degree in finance and a great ability to follow important trends and statistics set him apart from the rest. Totals are Kyle's specialty, so look for a lot of totals picks from NBA, NCAAF, & the NFL. Check out his plays today.